William L. Henkle
The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an intelligent community is a protracted and honorable residence therein. William L. Henkle, Sr., one of the best known and most highly esteemed men of Fayette county, Ohio, and now living in honorable retirement after many years of activity in agricultural circles, has resided here all his life and his career has been a most commendable one in every respect. By persistent industry and the exercise of sound common sense in his operations, he gained the rewards for which he labored and is today numbered among the substanlial and influential men of the community.
William L. Henkle was born on September 5. 1845, in Union township on a farm one mile west of Washington C. H., being a son of Ephraim and Mary S. (Carr) Henkle, Ephraim also being a native of this township. Born in 1818 on the old Irvin farm. His mother's name was Barbara and Ephraim was one of the pioneers of the county, owning one hundred and fifty acres of land, which he placed in an excellent state of cultivation, and was in his day one of the leading men of his community. In his youth he attended the old pioneer schools in the crude little log school houses, his spare time being devoted to working with his father. When he came to manhood he followed the vocation of farming and was considered one of the leading agriculturists of this section. . He approved advanced methods of farming, eagerly adapting every new idea as he acquired it and owned the first reaper which ever came into the township. He also believed that the best strains of live stock were none too good for the ordinary farmer and was especially interested in fine hogs. He was the father of ten children. Ellen, Joel and Mary are deceased, the latter having been the wife of J. A. Bush. William L., the immediate subject of this sketch, was the third child in order of birth; then came J. F.; N. S., who lives in Indiana; Jesse, who lives at Springfield, Ohio; Catherine (Mrs. Hire); Amanda, wife of W. L. Dowden, and Almeda L., who married J. B. Cohagen.
When the subject was a youth he attended the school taught by H. C. Burnett, later went to the Judge A. Williams school and finished his school days in John Parrott's school. From the time he was a small boy and during all vacations he assisted in the work of the home place and when twenty-two years of age he started out in life for himself, first hiring out to farm labor by the month. At the age of twenty-six he began farming for himself on a tract of twelve acres and now owns a farm of sixty acres located about three miles west of Washington C. H. on the Wilmington pike.
On April 16. 1868, Mr. Henkle was united in marriage with Thursea Bush, daughter of William and Phoebe (Fults) Bush, both of whom were natives of this county. To their union have been born five children, the eldest of whom, Miles N., is deceased. The others are Mary E., wife of Grant Miller; Effie, William L., Jr., and Carey E., who remain at home. Since the subject has retired from the active work of the farm, his two efficient sons, William L., Jr., and Carey E., have taken over its management. Both received their educations at the Midland school and were early trained by the subject in all that pertained to successful farming. Carey E. devotes especial effort to the raising of such grains as are especially adapted to this section, while William gives particular attention to truck farming. Both belong to the Sons of Veterans and the religious affiliation of each is with the Methodist Protestant church, and to the maintenance of the local organization each gives liberally of his means.
William M. Henkle's political affiliation is with the Republican party and he has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of same. He has been a school director and has also served the township as pike superintendent, efficiently discharging the duties of both offices. His church membership for the past fifty years has been with the Methodist Protestant church and he is sincerely interested in the success of the local society. Mr. Henkle is a quiet, unassuming man and it is unnecessary to add that he is highly respected throughout the locality where he lives and where he has spent his entire life. In all the relations of life he has been found faithful to every trust and because of his sterling worth, uncompromising integrity and friendliness, he has won and retains the warm regard of all with whom he associates and is widely known throughout the county.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)